Friday, September 19, 2008

Today I received pictures of Sophie’s finding spot from a generous young American living in Datong. I found her some time ago through a YAH** board. I will be forever grateful for the time she took out of her busy life for Sophie.

As I looked at each picture I was overcome with sadness. I suppose sadness that I have pushed away as I navigated Sophie’s medical needs, and our ever-changing family. My little girl apparently born the day she was found lay in a box across the street from the hospital. I have chosen to believe that Sophie’s birth parents chose life for her, they left her across the street from a hospital where she could be taken for medical care. It is a fairly busy spot; close to the street, but yet a beautiful spot in the midst of the city. I am not sure of the significance of the statuary that she was placed in front of or if it really only mattered to her birth parents that she was across the street from the hospital. I wonder how these photos will impact Sophie. Will she see what I see? Will she believe me when I tell her that her birth parents must have wanted her to be taken care of because of the spot they chose.....

How wonderful to have those pictures. I don't have pictures of our Addison's finding spot. I know where it is and have some information from Brian Stuy. I wonder what our little Addison will think when she grows old enough to understand. I feel like you, that our daughter was left in an area where she would be found right away. This I feel her mother did out of love for her. have a wonderful weekend.

So often in adoption we get the answers to 'our' questions, but of course we may never be able to answer the questions our kids have. I hope Sophie can one be at peace with her story, and grows to understand her first parents left her as near as they dared to safety and care. From what you say about her finding spot, their choice for her was Life and was made out of love for her. Best wishes.

I was adopted and I have always believed that my birthmother DID chose life for me. She had other options and she wanted me to LIVE. I had a wonderful childhood and always knew that I was adopted. I always thought it was cool! I didn't look like my aopted family but that was ok - I was special - except to my brother who was not adopted!! Anyway, I suspect that Sophie will be fascinated by the pics but will be forever greatful that he forever family is y'all. I think she will see them as the beginning of a great life - with you. Being adopted is co very cool! She was born in your heart.

It is interesting that you got these pictures. I would like to know how you found this information.One day I was vacuuming my rug, and imagining giving away, or leaving--a baby that I had given birth to, what would that be like etc.? (I was thinking about you, and Sophie etc) And I thought, you know, I hope that that Mama has peace in her heart, and that it would be wonderful if she could know in her heart, and spirit that her baby girl now has a wonderful life here. It must have been terrible for her to have to leave her baby.

Wow Maryellen. What a gift, filled with lots of mixed emotion. I sit here feeling a bit speehless, trying to empathize with you and find the words to type here,but they just all seem a bit inadequate. It's such an important part of her story...

That is amazing that you have those photos. I didn't travel to bring Emma home, but my husband and son did and they visited her finding location. They brought home some earth from the spot and took many pictures. She was found in the morning at a busy intersection in a grassy area right where many people had to walk past to get to work each day. I believe that she was meant to be found but I still get teary when I watch her adoption video and it gets to the finding location photos. It's a profound decision to leave a child...a profound loss for her and for her parents. I imagine how they must feel when they think of that spot.It's easy to forget about the past when we bring these children into our families, it almost seems like they were always with us, but I think the photos and other things that remind me of her whole story help me remember not only how sensitive I must be to their needs and questions, but also how incredibly blessed and honored I am to be her mother (helps to remember that during those 2 year old tantrums). This is very heavy stuff!

What an amazing piece of Sophie's history-an incredible blessing. I always ponder how my little Ella is going to react to parts of her life history.A DVD that is a must is "Found In China." A wonderful documentary about adopted Chinese girls returning to China when they are older.